Vibrational and structural properties of lead-free piezoelectric (1-x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3–xCaTiO3 (0 < x < 1.00) solid solutions have been investigated using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Different anomalies were detected and analyzed taking into consideration the phase transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic phase at room temperature. All Raman bands were interpreted through the variation in the peak positions (frequency) and the corresponding half-widths at half maximum (HWHM) as a function of x. XRD used as a complementary technique to Raman spectroscopy, showed that the rhombohedral – orthorhombic phase transition went gradually through an intermediate phase consisting of a mixture of rhombohedral (R3c) and orthorhombic (Pnma) structures and that the fraction of orthorhombic phase increased with CT composition. The results show that the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) is located between 0.09 and 0.15.
The studies in this thesis aim to increase understanding of the effects of various characteristics of scientific news about a common chronic disease, i.e., diabetes, on the cognitive responses (e.g., emotions, attitudes, intentions) of diabetes patients. The research questions presented in this thesis are guided by the Health Belief Model, a theoretical framework developed to explain and predict healthrelated behaviours based on an individual’s beliefs and attitudes. The model asserts that perceived barriers to a recommended health behavior, advantages of the behavior, self-efficacy in executing the behavior, and disease severity and personal susceptibility to the disease are important predictors of a health behavior. Communication is one of the cues to action (i.e., stimuli) that may trigger the decision-making process relating to accepting a medical or lifestyle recommendation.
